ohw? x Off The Hook Footwear

ohw? x Off The Hook

Following on from their collaboration with cult New York store Kith, which aimed to kick start a shoe manufacturing revolution, contemporary men’s footwear label ohw? have announced a new partnership with celebrated Canadian independent retailer Off The Hook.

The resulting two-piece capsule collection has been inspired by the legendary cross-country skier and supercentenarian Herman ‘Jackrabbit’ Smith-Johannsen. Originally an engineer, Norwegian-born Smith-Johannsen represented an important link between the Norwegian Sami people and the First Nations Cree people of Canada, after the latter befriended the Scandinavian sportsman in the Ontario wilderness after he moved to Canada at the turn of the 20th century.

Soon after his arrival, Smith-Johannsen introduced cross-country skiing to the country and earned himself the nickname ‘Jackrabbit’ from members of the Canadian Cree community, owing to the speed with which he could travel by ski. For his efforts he was awarded the Order of Canada, the second highest national honour for merit, in 1972 at the age of ninety-seven.

The ohw? x Off The Hook collaboration pays homage to his inspirational story and features a six-ski loop casual stitch down boot in full grain leather, available in two colour ways.

The black colour way is intended to represent the raven hair typical of the Cree nation, whilst the brown colour way pays tribute to the Sami people by offering suggestions of the leather hides they would use to make clothes. Both incorporate intricate linings with patterns evocative of the trading blanket designs of the Cree and the dress embroidery of the Sami, honouring cultural elements of both historic nations.

Other key details include hand-stitching, all leather laces, linings and socks, ohw?’s signature size markers on the upper and the signature of the person performing the final quality check. The shoes all have combination rubber and phylon soles for optimum fit, a blend more commonly found in the midsole of sports shoes, ensuring added comfort and wearability.

ohw? x Off The Hook footwear is available for purchase from the end of October from Off The Hook’s physical store or online at othshop.ca.